Coil car



Nov. 7, 1967 c. M. FEHR 3,351,299

COIL CAR Filed Aug. 10, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Coil Loading Coil HoldingCoil Running Position Position Position INVENTOR. conr M. FEHR At torneyNov. 7, 1967 c. M. FEHR 3,351,299

COIL CAR Filed Aug. 10, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "HE-r. 2-

Coi/ Load/n9 Coil Holding Coi/ Running Pas/lion Position Position 6 TIE:3- 2 42 a n 42 58/ 582 Source of O O 4- Fluid 54 V V Pressure 56 74mvs/vron. 30 COREY M. FEHR m/aw A I forney United States Patent3,351,299 COIL CAR Corey M. Fehr, McKeesport, Pa., assignor to UnitedStates Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 10, 1966,Ser. No. 571,531 14 Claims. (Cl. 242-79) This invention relates to coilprocessing lines, and more particularly to an improved coil transfer carfor such a coil processing line.

Heretofore a coil processing line, such as a shear line, pickle line,cold and temper mill line and the like, have utilized a gravity-typeconveyor inclined slightly to the horizontal for transferring bandedcoils from a source, such as a strip mill warehouse, into positionagainst a mechanical stop at the end of the gravity conveyor. Release ofthe mechanical stop permits the leading coil to gravitate downwardlyfrom the end of the gravity conveyor onto the continuation rolls of atilting car. While the coil is positioned on the tilting car against anadjustable stop utilized to centralize a coil with respect to anadjacent coil processor, the operator cuts the steel band around thecoil preparatory to the dumping of the unbanded coil onto a coiltransfer car. At the suitable moment the tilting car and the unbandedcoil are rotated through a predetermined angle to cause the unbandedcoil to roll off the steel side plate of the tilting car and to fallinto the adjacent coil transfer car. This transfer of the unbanded coilcauses the heavy coil to land with great force and shock upon theblocker rolls of the coil transfer car, thereby jarring the entiretransfer car and causing excessive shock to the gear box and driveassociated with the blocker rolls on the top of the coil transfer car.The operator then opens the guides on the processor, withdraws theprocessor mandrel and elevates the breaker rolls of the processorpreparatory for entry of the unbanded coil into the processor. Theelevator mechanism of the coil transfer car lowers the unbanded coil tothe same elevation as the processor. The coil transfer car then movesthe positioned coil into the processor in alignment with the mandrel sothat the eye of the unbandcd coil registers with the path of movement ofthe retractable processor mandrel. The mandrel is then positioned withinthe eye of the coil, the' breaker rolls are moved downwardly intoposition to receive the free end of the coil. At this point the sideguides of the processor are also moved into position against the side ofthe unbanded positioned coil. The blocker rolls are rotated by theblocker roll rotary mechanism on the coil transfer car to move the freeend of the coil into position with respect to the breaker rolls of theprocessor. Thereafter the coil transfer car is lowered to clear the coilpositioned on the mandrel and such transfer car is retracted backwardlyto the coil receiving position adjacent the tilting car. The free orscrap end of the coil is fed by the pinch rolls through thestraightening rolls and open shear onto a table. Thereafter the shearcloses and cuts off the free or scrap end.

The disadvantages and defects of such conventional conveying apparatusare utilization of an expensive complicated tilting mechanism andexcessive shock load on the coil transfer car itself and the gears anddrive for the blocker rolls on the coil transfer car. The scrap andremoval operation is performed in the first stage of the coil processingline and the full utilization is not made of strip running time duringoperation of the particular coil processing line. The operator of theentry portion of the processing line is idle between coil chargingoperations, and the tilting-dropping transfer of the unbanded coil fromthe tilting car to the coil transfer car causes shock damage andscratches to the coil itself.

I am aware of the following prior art:

3,351,299 Patented Nov. 7, 1967 U.S. Patent Nos. 2,121,388, E. N.Millan, June 21, 1938; 2,267,036, D. A. McArthur, Dec. 23., 1941;2,388,- 283, J. A. Porter, Nov. 6, 1945; 2,848,124, D. S. Angell 32%.,Aug. 19, 1958; 3,218,001, A. M. Gombos, Nov. 16,

It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcomethe foregoing and other difficulties of and objections to prior artpractices by the provision of an improved coil transfer car which:

(1) Eliminates the expensive complicated conveyor tilting mechanism;

(2) Prevents shock damage to the coil transfer car itself and moreparticularly to the gearing for the rotatable blocker rolls on such coiltransfer car;

(3) Eliminates the scrap end removal operation in the coil processingline, thereby increasing prime strip running time of such coilprocessing line;

(4) Utilizes the operators down time to shear the strip and the unbandedcoil; and

(5) Eliminates shock damage and more particularly scratches in the coilitself.

The aforesaid objects of the present invention, and other objects whichwill become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved byproviding a coil transfer car for a coil processing line having an entryportion for receiving a coil having a free end from a conveyor having afirst conveying means and for presenting the free 'end to the coilprocessing line. The coil transfer car comprises a main frame, a firstframe reciprocable with respect to the main frame, a second conveyormeans on the first frame adapted to receive the coil from the firstconveying means, and coil rotating means rotatable on the main frame,The second conveying means is operable to move the coil so that the coilrotating means supports the coil and the coil rotating means is operableto rotate the free end into position with respect to the entry portion.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference should behad to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of referenceindicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a conveyor, the improved coil transfer car ofthe present invention, a first coil processing line and a second coilprocessing line, and showing a coil receiving position, coil holdingposition and coil running position of the coil transfer car;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid system for operating thesecond elevator means for reciprocating the second conveyor means; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of the secondframe portion and rollers of the coil transfer car.

Although the principles of the present invention are.

broadly applicable to the transfer of a coil of rods, wires, sheet orstrip both in metallic and non-metallic form, the present invention isparticularly adapted for use in conunction with a coil of metal sheet orstrip and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

With specific reference to the form of the present invention illustratedin the drawings and referring particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, a coiltransfer car is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.

This coil transfer car 10 is utilized in conjunction with a coilprocessing line 12 indicated in the left hand portions of FIGURES 1 and2 and having an entry portion, such as the pinch rolls 14. The coiltransfer car 10 is adapted to receive a coil 16 (FIGURES 1, 2) of steelsheet 18 (FIGURE 2) from a conveyor, such as the gravity-type conveyor2% (FIGURE 1). This gravity-type conveyor 20 is provided with a firstconveying means,

8 such as inclined banks of rollers 22 (FIGURE 1) adapted to move thecoils 16 down the rollers 22 and against a pivotable mechanical stop 24(FIGURE 1).

Movement of the mechanical stop 24 from a vertical position shown inFIGURE 1 to a horizontal position not shown in FIGURE 1 permits theleading coil 16 to roll down the inclined rollers 22 and onto a secondconveying means, such as inclined banks of rollers 25 (FIG- URES 1, 2,4) on the coil transfer car and against an adjustable stop 28 mounted onthe floor and shown in retracted position in FIGURE 1, which adjustablestop 28 aligns the leading coil 16 with respect to the coil processingline 12.

Referring now to the coil transfer car 10 in detail (FIGURES 1, 2, 4),such coil transfer car 10 is provided with a main frame 38 (FIGURES l,3). A first frame 32 (FIGURES 2, 4) is reciprocable with respect to suchmain frame 38 on guides 34 (FIGURE 2) in the main frame 30. In turn, asecond frame 36 (FIGURES 2, 4) is reciprocable with respect to suchfirst frame 32 on guides 38 on the first frame 32. The above-mentionedsecond conveying means, such as the inclined banks of rollers 26 aremounted on the second frame 36 and are adapted to receive the coil 16from the inclined banks of rollers 22 of the gravity-type conveyor whensuch coil transfer car 10 is in the coil loading position shown inFIGURES l and 2.

A first elevator means, such as a fluid cylinder 40, (FIGURES 2, 3, 4)is mounted on the first frame 32 and is connected to the second frame 36which second frame 36 supports the rollers 26. Such fluid cylinder 40 isutilized to reciprocate the second frame 36 and the rollers 26 in avertical path of movement. A coil rotating means, such as the blockerrolls 42 (FIGURES 2, 3, 4), are rotatably mounted on the first frame 32.Rotating means, such as a coupling 44 (FIGURE 1), speed reducer 46(FIGURES 1, 4) and reversible motor 48, drive the right hand blockerroll 42 in a rotary direction such that the blocker rolls rotate thecoil 16 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as desiredwhen viewed in FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURE 3 and the fluid system for actuating the fluidcylinder 40, cylinder 40 is connected by inlet line 54 and outlet line56 to a manual control valve 58 which in turn is connected to a sourceof fluid pressure (not shown), such as compressed air or a liquid, suchas oil. Operation of the control valve 58 lowers the rollers 26 and thecoil 16 carried thereby downwardly, as viewed in FIGURE 2, so that thecoil 16 rests on the blocker rolls 42. Thereafter the blocker rolls 42are operable to rotate the coil 16 so that a buckle 60 (FIGURE 2) on astrap 62 is positioned adjacent the operative path of movement of a coil16. Preparatory means, such as a chisel 64 (FIG- URE 2), is operated bya fluid cylinder 66. Operation of the fluid cylinder 66 by a hydraulicsystem similar to the hydraulic system shown in FIGURE 3 moves thechisel 64 downwardly, as viewed in FIGURE 2, to sever the buckle 60 fromthe strap 62 and releases the free scrap end 68 (FIGURE 2) of the coil16. Thereafter the rollers 42 rotate the free scrap end 68 of the coil16 in a clockwise direction to position such free scrap end 68 adjacentthe pinch rolls 14 of the coil processing line 12 to enable the operatorto position such free scrap end 68 between the pinch rolls 14. The pinchrolls 14 drive the free scrap end 68 between and beyond the now openshears 70 until such free scrap end 68 passes beyond the shears 70 (FIG-URES 1, 2), whereupon the shears 7i), operated by fluid cylinder (notshown), sever the free scrap end 68 from the coil 16. The blockerrollers 42 then retract the free end 68 of the coil 16 preparatory forthe next operation.

Alternative embodiments It will be understood by those skilled in theart that alternatively, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the coil transfercar 10 may be provided with a second elevator means, such as the mainfluid cylinders 74 (FIGURES 2, 3) mounted on the main frame 30 andconnected to the first frame 32 for reciprocating the blocker rollers 42with respect to such main frame 38. Drive means, such as the fluidcylinder 76 shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, is connected to the main frame 30for moving the coil transfer car 10 having wheels 77 on rails 77a(FIGURES 1, 2, 3) between a coil loading position, a coil holdingposition and coil running position adjacent to a second coil processingline 80 shown in the right hand portions of FIGURES 1 and 2.

The fluid cylinder 76 is then operable to move the coil transfer car 10and the coil 16 to the coil holding position. The main fluid cylinders74 (FIGURES 2, 3) lower the blocker rolls 42 and the coil 16 intovertical alignment with an entry portion 78 (FIGURE 2) of the secondcoil processing line 80. The blocker rolls 42 rotate the coil 16 and thefree end 68 thereof into position with respect to the normal operatingposition of the now raised breaker rolls 82 (FIGURE 2) of the secondcoil processing line 88. These breaker rolls 82 are reciprocable in avertical path of movement, as shown in FIGURE 2, by means of a fluidcylinder 84 adjacent control (not shown).

The horizonal fluid cylinder 76 then moves the coil transfer car 10 andthe positioned coil 16 from the coil holding position into the coilrunning position so that an eye 86 (FIGURE 2) of the coil 16 lines up orregisters with a mandrel 87, shown in the running position in FIGURES 1,2. Such mandrel 87 is operated by motor 88 and is positioned in areciprocable hydraulic path of movement by a fluid cylinder 89(FIGURE 1) similar to the fluid cylinders 84, etc. Thereafter themandrel 87 is moved into the eye 86 of the coil 16 and the fluidcylinder 74 is operable to lower the blocker rolls 42 downwardly awayfrom the coil 16 positioned on the mandrel 87, so that the blocker rolls42 clear such coil 16 positioned on the mandrel 87. Thereafter thehydraulic fluid cylinder 76 moves the coil transfer car 10 to the left,as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 2, through the coil holding position to thecoil loading position. There the fluid cylinder 74 raises the firstframe 32 and the blocker rolls 42 carried thereby to the position shownin FIG- URE 2, and the fluid cylinder 40 elevates the second frame 36and the rollers 26 carried thereby above the blocker rolls 42 in linewith the inclined banks of rollers 22 on the gravity-type conveyor 20preparatory for receipt of the next coil 16.

Referring again to the second coil processing line 80 shown in the righthand portions of FIGURES 1 and 2, the breaker rolls 82 are lowereddownwardly adjacent to the coil 16 and the operator pushes the free end68 of such coil 16 between the breaker rolls 82. R0- tation of thebreaker rolls 82 by a rotating device (not shown) but similar to thedrive for the blocker rolls 42, moves the free end 68 of the coil 16through pulling or pinch rolls 90 (FIGURE 2) into level or straighteningrolls 92 and onto a table 94 disposed above a looping pit (not shown),the table having an auxiliary scrap end shear 96 disposed thereon, asshown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

It will also be understood that the conveyor 20 need not be of thegravity type. The rollers 22 and the rollers 26 of the transfer car 10may be power driven by motors (not shown) similar to the motor 48 andits associated drive. Further a reinforced belt conveyor (not shown) maybe employed in lieu of the rollers 22 and the rollers It will also berecognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of the presentinvention have been achieved by providing an improved coil transfer carwhich eliminates the expensive complicated conveyor tilting mechanism,prevents shock damage to the coil transfer car itself and moreparticularly to the gearing for the rotatable blocker rolls on such coiltransfer car,

eliminates the scrap end removal operation in the coil processing line,thereby increasing prime strip running time of such coil processingline, utilizes the operators down time to shear the strip and theunbanded coil, and eliminates shock damage and more particularlyscratches in the coil itself.

While in accordance with the patent statutes preferred and alternativeembodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and describedin detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto or thereby.

I claim:

1. A coil transfer car for a coil processing line having an entryportion for receiving a coil having a free end from a conveyor having afirst conveying means and for presenting said free end to said coilprocessing line, said coil transfer car comprising:

(a) amain frame;

(b) a first frame reciprocable with respect to said main frame;

(0) a second conveyor means on said first frame adapted to receive saidcoil from said first conveying means, and

(d) coil rotating means rotatable on said first frame;

(1) said second conveying means being operable to move said coil so thatsaid coil rotating means supports said coil; and

(2) said coil rotating means being operable to rotate said free end intoposition with respect to said entry portion.

2. A coil transfer car for a coil processing line having an entryportion for receiving a coil having a free end from a conveyor having afirst conveying means and for presenting said free end to said coilprocessing line, said coil transfer car comprising:

(a) amainframe;

(b) a first frame reciprocable with respect to said main frame;

(c) a second frame reciprocable with respect to said first frame;

(d) a second conveyor means on said second frame adapted to receive saidcoil from said conveyor; and

(e) coil rotating means rotatable on said first frame;

(1) said second conveying means being operable to move said coil so thatsaid coil rotating means supports said coil;

(2) said coil rotating means being operable to move said coil intovertical alignment with respect to said entry portion;

(3) said coil rotating means being operable to rotate said free end intoposition with respect to said entry portion.

3. The coil transfer car recited in claim 2 wherein said coil transfercar is movable between a coil loading position and a coil holdingposition.

4. The coil transfer car recited in claim 2 wherein said coil transfercar is movable between a coil loading position and a coil runningposition.

5. The coil transfer car recited in claim 2 wherein said coil transfercar is movable between a coil loading position, a coil holding positionand a coil running position.

6. The coil transfer car recited in claim 2 wherein said coil processingline has pinch roll means for driving said free end.

7. The coil transfer car recited in claim 6 wherein said coil processingline has shear means for removing a scrap portion of said free end.

8. The transfer car recited in claim 6 wherein said coil transfer carmoves said coil to a coil running posi tion adjacent a second coilprocessing line.

9. The coil transfer car recited in claim 8 wherein said coil rotatingmeans rotates said coil and positions said free end with respect to saidsecond processing line.

10. The coil transfer car recited in claim 2 wherein said coil transfercar moves said coil to a coil holding position.

11. The coil transfer car recited in claim 10 in combination with coilpreparation means for removing a band from said coil.

12. The coil transfer car recited in claim 11 wherein said coil rotatingmeans moves said coil into vertical alignment with said secondprocessing line.

13. The coil transfer car recited in claim 12 wherein said coil rotatingmeans rotates said free end into position with respect to said secondcoil processing line.

14. The coil transfer car recited in claim 13 wherein said coil transfercar moves said coil into a coil running position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1964 OBrien 24279 X 6/1965Hufiington et a1. 24279

1. A COIL TRANSFER CAR FOR A COIL PROCESSING LINE HAVING AN ENTRY PORTONFOR RECEIVING A COIL HAVING A FREE END FROM CONVEYOR HAVING A FIRSTCONVEYING MEANS AND FOR PRESENTING SAID FREE END TO SAID COIL PROCESSINGLINE, SAID COIL TRANSFER CAR COMPRISING: (A) A MAIN FRAME; (B) A FIRSTFRAME RECIPROCABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID MAIN FRAME; (C) A SECONDCONVEYOR MEANS ON SAID FIRST FRAME ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID COIL FROMSAID FIRST CONVEYING MEANS, AND (D) COIL ROTATING MEANS ROTATABLE ONSAID FIRST FRAME; (1) SAID SECOND CONVEYING MEANS BEING OPERABLE TO MOVESAID COIL SO THAT SAID COIL ROTATING MEANS SUPPORTS SAID COIL; AND (2)SAID COIL ROTATING MEANS BEING OPERABLE TO ROTATE SAID FREE END INTOPOSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID ENTRY PORTION.